As we approach the 2005 Legislative Session, I am pleased with our past successes and optimistic about the
matters that we plan to address and build upon. Since this issue focuses on education, I would like to discuss
Task Force plans for the upcoming session and invite you to join with New York's disability advocacy community
to educate other legislators and the general public regarding the critical nature of what lies ahead. A united front
consisting of large groups of individuals has been proven to be very successful in winning legislative victories.

As you may be aware, our Medicaid waiver legislation, allowing people to live in their own homes and within their
own communities, was signed into law on October 19, 2004. The technical explanation of this new law is that it
directs the New York State Department of Health to seek a federal Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid
Waiver to allow reimbursement for services not covered by the traditional program. What it means is more money for
community-based services and a savings in the cost of institutional care. This law, which was fought for vigorously by
many disabilities advocates, will go a long way to help New York State comply with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court
Olmstead decision.

In other business, we are also eagerly awaiting the first report from the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council
(MISCC), which we expect will deliver several additional recommendations aimed at improving Olmstead compliance in
New York. As you may know, the MISCC was established in 2002 by a bill we initiated, also with the extraordinary help
and participation of advocates across the state, to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive plan
ensuring that people of all ages with disabilities receive the services they need in the most integrated settings possible,
as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Olmstead decision.

These legislative successes will go a long way toward reversing New York's institutional bias. Still, we are preparing
to take several additional steps to ensure that people with disabilities are able to obtain services in the most integrated
setting in such areas as housing, employment and education.

The Task Force has been busy drafting new legislation and formulating next year's agenda. We plan to advance efforts to,
among other things, improve accessible housing, reinforce protections currently offered under the ADA and ensure
accessible voting for people with disabilities. Additionally, we will fight, as always, for the funding necessary to continue
running the programs that New Yorkers with disabilities rely on to obtain the services they need. Unfortunately, these tend
to be the same areas that the Governor favors cutting.

Clearly, we have our work cut out for us. As always, I look forward to working with many of you in our continued mission
to improve life in New York State for people with disabilities.